Leaving Fear Behind is a 20 minute documentary made by Dhondup Wangchen who was subsequently arrested and imprisoned. Behind the Sea is a 17 minute film about Dhondup's wife, Lhamo Tso (pictured) and her daily struggle to survive and raise four children whilst campaigning for her husband's release.
The SOAS panel will include:
- Dechen Pemba, a UK-born Tibetan and spokesperson for Leaving Fear Behind. Dechen met with Dhondup Wangchen in China in 2008, helped to secure the footage, and has been involved in the project and campaign ever since. She is currently the editor of the website High Peaks Pure Earth, which provides a unique insight into Tibet by providing translations of writings from Tibetan and Chinese blogs.- Pema Yoko, a UK-born Tibetan, currently the Deputy Director of Students for a Free Tibet UK.
- Philippa Carrick, Chief Executive Officer of Tibet Society, honorary Secretary for the All Party Parliamentary Group for Tibet and Chief Executive Officer of Tibet Relief Fund, a charity working to provide a sustainable future for the Tibetan people.

7.00pm, Thursday 21 OctoberAdmission is free.
Khalili Lecture Theatre, School of Oriental and Asian Studies, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG. Map(Unfortunately Lhamo Tso was not able to secure a UK visa in time to attend this event as had been previously planned.)Click here for more details and other event information.

2. Profile of Lhamo TsoLhamo Tso, lives in Dharamsala and campaigns tirelessly for her husband's release. However, her daily life is a struggle as she is now the only money-earner, so she bakes and sells bread to look after their four children, a niece and Dhondup's elderly parents. With news that Dhondup Wangchen was transferred to Xichuan Prison, a known prisoner labour camp, on 6 April 2010, Lhamo Tso felt it was important that she did even more to raise awareness of his case worldwide.

In 2009 the Tibetan Womenâs Association made a short film, Behind the Sea, that movingly shows the deep worries and concerns Lhamo Tso has for her husbandâs health and well being and gives a glimpse of her daily life.

Lhamo Tso will be in the UK as part of a European tour, including Switzerland, Germany, France, Belgium, and The Netherlands, to tell in her own words, the moving story of her husband, Dhondup Wangchen's desire to tell the world what the real situation is in Tibet. Her tour has been organised by the International Tibet Support Network and its member groups, including Tibet Society.

(Photos of Lhamo Tso copyright of Jessica Baker.)

3. Dhondup WangchenTibetan film-maker Dhondup Wangchen was sentenced on 28 December 2009 to a six year prison sentence for âinciting separatismâ by making his documentary film Leaving Fear Behind. The film documents Dhondup's journey around Tibet in early 2008 where he interviewed Tibetans, asking them for their thoughts and views on the upcoming Olympic Games, the Dalai Lama and Chinese government policies in Tibet.

Dhondup's case is indicative of the Chinese government's recent crackdown on Tibetan intellectuals, which intensified following the spring 2008 protests. There are currently over 30 Tibetan writers, bloggers, musicians and other intellectuals in detention for expressing their views or sharing information on China's policies and their impact in Tibet.